The campaign by the Fans Club is meant to look for financial support from government, philanthropists and business individuals in either cash or kind to foot their bills for air tickets to Argentina to support the Gambia national Under 20 team.
The Fans Club before launching their campaign raised D960, 000 which is way below their target of over D5 million.
Mammy Sira Gai, president of the Smiling Coast Fans Club said: “We are appealing for support in either cash or kind in order to see our fans club take part in the international competition. We cannot afford to miss this opportunity as it is going to be another stepping stone for the development of sports in the country.”
Part of their aims and objectives, she said, is to complement the national team and local fan clubs in the country that have been contributing to the development of sports in the country.
Aji Bintou Gassama, a member of the fans club, said they started raising funds for their trip when The Gambia U-20 reached the quarter-final stage of the recently concluded African U-20 Championship.
She added that they have raised D960, 000 and are working tirelessly to reach their goal.
“After consulting many people, we believe that the amount can cover up to 20 flight tickets for the U-20 World Cup in Argentina. However, we are yet to reach the target we are yearning for."
According to her, their target is to take 50 members to the U-20 World Cup, saying their budget is D5, 385, 000.
“We are calling on all Gambians, philanthropists, business individuals, stakeholders to give us the support we need. We promise if they give us the support we need, we will deliver the maximum support and ambiance we are known for as Smiling Coast Fans Club.”
Hon. Sulayman Jammeh, NAM for Bundung-Ka Kunda, said he was touched and happy that the fans club is not a political fans club, adding that the country can only be developed if they put their politics aside.
Hon. Jammeh, who pledged D10, 000 to the Smiling Coast Fans Club, said he is happy that the club is not only providing entertainment but also assisting their members to learn and develop their skills.
“Going to Argentina will serve as moral support to the Gambia U-20 team. This moral support can help the team achieve their ambition in the upcoming tournament," he added.
He urged Gambians to support the team by giving funding to the Smiling Coast Fans Club to attend the Argentina U-20 World Cup.
Fatima Susan Mendy, assistant vocalist of the fans club, said the Smiling Coast is a sporting fans club established in 2021. She added that their primary objective is to nurture, develop skills and talents to become an outstanding and modern professional fans club.
“We are also committed to providing fun and entertainment to all sports activities.”
According to her, the Smiling Coast Fans Club has covered numerous grassroots activities such as football, volleyball, basketball, amongst others.
“The significance of supporters in sports cannot be overemphasised. It is crucial in giving confidence to teams, players and athletes during games. Smiling Coast Fans Club has no segregation between clubs or sporting activities and individuals,” he also said.
According to her, their fans club has a good travelling record as they have been in Senegal on three occasions, adding that the first was the Gambia Senior national football team AFCON qualifiers game against Sudan in Thies, the Senegambia Volleyball Cup as well as the Wrestling Championship.
